体坛英语新闻：Palmeiras flex muscle in Brazil's Serie A

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Defending champions Palmeiras rose to third in Brazil's Serie A standings with a 1-0 defeat of Gremio on Saturday.

The hosts had Gremio midfielder Machado to thank after the 21-year-old turned the ball into his own net at the Pacaembu stadium in Sao Paulo.

The result left Palmeiras with 19 points while Gremio missed the chance to narrow the gap on leaders Corinthians, remaining second with 22 points.

Meanwhile, a second-half strike from Thiago Maia earned Santos a 1-1 away draw with 10-man Atletico Goianiense.

Andrigo put the hosts ahead in the 12th minute but they lost Joriginho when the midfielder received a second yellow card for a bad foul early in the second half.